Patty got up to peer into the refrigerator. “Honey, don’t look so guilty,” she said. “Men are like horses. If they’re even-tempered and sweet, you stay on for the ride. If they buck and run around, you get off before you get hurt.” She slammed the refrigerator door. “Damn, we’re out of cake.” --from Horseplay: A Novel A debut novel full of sparkle and wit, Horseplay is a story of the animals that touch our hearts… and the men who try our souls. When Judy Van Brunt finally decides to leave her cheating husband, she makes immediate plans to quit her teaching job, take the money she inherited from her mother, and run off, leaving a note on her husband's pillow. There is only one problem: Where is she going? During her weekly riding lesson, her instructor makes a suggestion just crazy enough to work—and before she knows it, Judy has a position as a groom at an exclusive North Carolina horse farm. There, she shares an apartment with three remarkable women who also work at the farm, and she puts in long hours caring for the horses in addition to learning the demanding sport of dressage from the farm’s owner, a former Olympic champion. Exhausted but fulfilled, she learns for herself that a horse in the barn is worth far more than a husband at home. Her housemates gladly supplement her education with lessons not found in the riding ring, such as how to avoid the farm’s snootier patrons and weed out unsavory suitors. Her devotion to horses is far more rewarding than her marriage ever was—after all, horses never lie or cheat, and even the most hot-blooded stallion won't kick her when she's down. Nevertheless, her new life doesn't keep her away from men entirely. She finds her early vow of chastity and cheeseburgers weakening as she is drawn to one especially eligible bachelor. But after a few escapades with studs of the two-legged variety, is she really ready to be with someone? Set against the alternately glamorous and grimy world of competitive horse shows, Horseplay is a jubilant ride. “I have not laughed so much at a book since Bridget Jones’ Diary . The writing was sharp and witty, and I loved being plunged into the horsey world, particularly one with such eccentric and loveable characters.” —Jane Green, author of Jemima J and The Other Woman “A laugh a minute, Horseplay delivers the hierarchy of the riding world from barn shenanigans to the hunky guys to the pompous equestrian elite.” —Jo-Ann Mapson, author of Hank & Chloe , Bad Girl Creek , and The Owl & Moon Cafe “A joyful frolic, full of authentic horse detail, wry truths about grown-up romance and genuine affection for a quirky cast of characters.” — Tampa Tribune A former high school English teacher with graduate degrees in psychology, JUDY REENE SINGER has been in love with horses since childhood. She has covered the equestrian world for more than a decade, writing for Dressage Today, Horse Play , and The Chronicle of the Horse, which named her a top feature writer in 1996. Her experience with horses ranges from saddle breaking to riding Grand Prix Dressage. She rides and writes in Orange County, New York. Chapter One When you're running away from a bad marriage, Willie Nelson is the music of choice. His voice has just the right nasal, reedy, twangy quality, which encourages singing along, as well as making it okay for an occasional self-indulgent splash of tears to roll down your cheeks. I was driving to North Carolina and listening to "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," and although my eyes are green, it did actually pour the day I left my blue-eyed husband, Marshall. Marshall and I had been together eight years. He had had three affairs. I had forgiven him twice. And it was about four months after his last fling that the realization struck me: I had been far more gracious than any woman had a reason to be. I was tapped out. Not only did I no longer love him, but the way he walked annoyed me, the color of his hair annoyed me, his ears annoyed me, the fillings in his teeth, the air he exhaled--all had become intolerable. I had begun to hate him, and found myself spending alarmingly more frequent moments planning his dramatic and imminent demise. There was choking, electrocution, car accidents, hanging, knifing, head wounds, poisoning . . . well, it wasn't a good omen for our relationship, and I made my decision. The first one I told was Ruth, my older sister. Saint Ruth of the Perfect Life, as I had always thought of her, was horrified. We were having our weekly ritual of coffee and fabulous scones from a secret-source bakery whose location she was reluctant to share, since Ruth always likes to have the best of everything, as well as exclusive rights to it. I dropped my news. "I am leaving Marshall," I casually mentioned. She choked on a mouthful of fabulous scone. "What did you say?" She wheezed crumbs at me from across the table, trying to compose her lungs. "I said, 'I am leaving Marshall.' " She looked alternately